Camera system, video processing apparatus, and camera apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a camera system including, a camera apparatus having, an image sensor, a correction section, a first transmission processing section, and a synchronization processing section, and a video processing apparatus having a second transmission processing section and a conversion section, wherein the video processing apparatus outputs the video data obtained by the conversion by the conversion section.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a camera system capable of imaging athigh resolutions and a video processing apparatus and a camera apparatusthat are applicable to this camera system. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to technologies that are applied when thecamera apparatus can output a signal obtained by imaging in a pixelarray without change.

2. Description of the Related Art

For camera apparatuses (or video cameras) that obtain a video signal (oran image signal) by imaging, a variety of camera apparatuses have beendeveloped with the number of frame pixels largely exceeding the numberof pixels specified by normal broadcasting standards and the like. Forexample, camera apparatuses have been developed that can obtain a videosignal so-called 4K×2K signal, the number of horizontal pixels beingabout 4,000, largely exceeding the number of pixels of an HD (HighDefinition) signal with the number of horizontal pixels 1920×the numberof vertical pixels 1080. To be more specific, cameras capable ofhandling the number of horizontal pixels 4096×the number of verticalpixels 2160 per frame and the number of horizontal pixels 3840×thenumber of vertical pixels 2160 per frame. In addition, cameraapparatuses have been proposed that are configured to handle a so-called8K×4K signal having the number of horizontal pixels being about 8000 andthe number of vertical pixels being about 4000.

These video signals of high resolutions in excess of the number ofpixels of the HD signal increase the quantity of data in proportion tothe increased number of pixels per frame, thereby requiring thetransmission of accordingly high transfer rates. These high-resolutionvideo signals also require the recording processing in a recordingsystem and the monitor display processing in a display system to copewith these high resolutions.

Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2006-13830 shown below discloses a systemconfigured to transmit a video signal constructed as a 4K×2K signal froma camera apparatus for example.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It should be noted that, in the case of a video signal having aresolution as high as that of the 4K×2K signal, the number of pixels perframe is extremely large, therefore extremely increasing the load of theprocessing for generating such a video signal. For example, an imagesensor incorporated in a camera apparatus for converting an image lightinto an imaging signal often has a pixel array unique to that cameraapparatus in order to attain efficient imaging. Namely, in the case ofan image sensor with the primary colors R (Red), G (Green), and B (Blue)arranged, some image sensors have special configurations in which thethree primary colors R, G, and B are not equally arranged. One of thesespecial arrangements is known as the Bayer array for example.

In the case of such a pixel array as the Bayer array, generating asignal of each pixel in a video signal requires the processing ofinterpolating the output of adjacent pixels in the image sensor. To bemore specific, it is necessary to execute the conversion from the actualpixel array on the image sensor into a pixel array of an output videosignal.

However, executing video signal processing such as pixel conversionprocessing inside a camera apparatus accordingly increases the load ofthe camera apparatus, thereby resulting in the increase in the size andpower consumption of the camera apparatus. Especially, a circuit forrealtime processing a video signal of high resolutions such as a 4K×2Ksignal requires a very large circuit scale and a very high-speedoperation, leading unpreferably to the deteriorated mobility andmaneuverability of the camera apparatus.

In the case of related-art systems configured to obtain a video signalof high resolutions such as a 4K×2K signal for example, an imagingsignal obtained from the image sensor in the camera apparatus is oncestored in a recording section in the camera apparatus as file in theform of a signal having the pixel array without change (namely, a rawsignal) and then the stored data file is read to be converted by aanother apparatus. For the conversion of stored data files, a videoconversion system based on a computer apparatus for example isapplicable.

Converting, after storing this raw signal as a file, the stored datainto a standard video signal makes it unnecessary for a raw signal to beconverted into a video signal in a realtime manner, thereby decreasingthe load of processing.

However, the processing configuration in which the conversion isexecuted after file storage does not allow the user to see the videotaken realtime, thereby presenting a problem that this configurationcannot provide a live operation of the system.

In addition, if a multi-camera system is configured by two or morecamera apparatuses as with a camera system for executing 3D imaging toobtain a video for three-dimensional representation, the above-mentionedfiling of raw signals presents a problem of requiring the processing ofgiving a synchronization of raw signals between the two or more cameraapparatuses.

Therefore, the present invention addresses the above-identified andother problems associated with related-art methods and apparatuses andsolves the addressed problems by providing a camera system, a videoprocessing apparatus, and camera apparatus that are configured torealtime and excellently process high-resolution signals taken by thecamera apparatus.

In carrying out the invention and according to one embodiment thereof,there is provided a camera system. This camera system is configured by acamera apparatus and a video processing apparatus.

The camera apparatus has an image sensor, a correction section, a firsttransmission processing section, and a synchronization processingsection.

The image sensor is configured to include pixels arranged in apredetermined array and output an imaging signal having a pixel sequencecorresponding to the array of the pixels.

The correction section is configured to correct the imaging signaloutputted from the image sensor to video data having the pixel sequence.

The first transmission processing section is configured to addsynchronous data to the video data outputted from the correction sectionto output resultant data to outside.

The synchronization processing section is configured to control a timingof imaging by the image sensor on the basis of synchronous timingsetting data received by the first transmission processing section.

The video processing apparatus has a second transmission processingsection and a conversion section.

The second transmission processing section is configured to receive thevideo data outputted from the first transmission processing section andoutput synchronous timing setting data to be transmitted to the firsttransmission processing section.

The conversion section is configured to execute pixel interpolation ofthe video data received by the second transmission processing section toconvert the interpolated video data into video data having a pixel arrayspecified by a video format.

The video processing apparatus outputs the video data obtained by theconversion by the conversion section.

As described and according to the embodiments of the present invention,the camera apparatus may only output an imaging signal outputted fromthe image sensor as the video data having a pixel array without change.Therefore, there is no need for execution interpolation processing forexample for providing the video data having a specified format in thecamera apparatus.

In addition, the timing of imaging by the camera apparatus issynchronized with synchronization timing setting data transmitted fromthe video processing apparatus, so that the timing of imaging in thecamera apparatus can be controlled by the video processing apparatus.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, the cameraapparatus need not interpolate an imaging signal outputted from imagesensor to the video data having a specified format, thereby realizingthe imaging of high-resolution video without hampering the mobility ofthe camera apparatus.

In addition, video data outputted from the camera apparatus can beconverted in to the video data having a specified format by executinginterpolation processing corresponding to the pixel array of the imagesensor by the video processing apparatus connected to the cameraapparatus, thereby realtime displaying the video obtained by the imagingby the camera apparatus is to be realized.

Consequently, the embodiments of the present invention can image anddisplay high-resolution video keeping the nature of realtime.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system configurationpracticed as one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating exemplary pixel arrays of animage sensor practiced as the above-mentioned embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of raw videodata practiced as the above-mentioned embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagram illustrating exemplary raw video datacompression processing practiced as the above-mentioned embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system configurationpracticed as another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example in which the systemsof the embodiments of the invention is a 3D imaging system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This invention will be described in further detail by way of embodimentsthereof with reference to the accompanying drawings. The descriptionwill be made in the following order:

(1) the description of an overall system of one embodiment (FIG. 1);

(2) the description of an exemplary pixel array of an image sensor andraw data (FIG. 2A through FIG. 4B);

(3) the description of another embodiment (FIG. 5);

(4) the description of an example in which the embodiments are appliedto a 3D imaging system (FIG. 6); and

(5) the description of variations.

(1) The Description of an Overall System of One Embodiment

Now, referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary systemconfiguration practiced as one embodiment of the invention.

In this embodiment, a camera system is configured by a camera apparatus100, a development unit 200 that functions as a video processingapparatus for processing video data obtained in the camera apparatus100, and peripheral devices thereof. The camera apparatus 100 and thedevelopment unit 200 are interconnected by an optical cable 16. Betweeninput/output sections of the camera apparatus 100 and the developmentunit 200 interconnected by the optical cable 16, data can be transmittedat high rates of around 2G bits/second for example, which is capable oftransmitting data imaged by the camera apparatus 100 without change.

The camera apparatus 100 has a camera control section 107 that controlsthe imaging operations by the component sections of the camera apparatus100.

In imaging by the camera apparatus 100, an image light obtained througha lens 101 is formed on the imaging surface of an image sensor 102 andthe formed image is photoelectrically converted, pixel by pixel, into animage signal. For the image sensor 102, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device)image sensor, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) imagesensor, or the like is available. The image sensor 102 is ahigh-resolution image sensor that provides a 4K×2K signal with thenumber of pixels per frame being 4096 horizontal and 2160 vertical. Thepixel arrangement of the image sensor 102 will be described later. Itshould be noted here that, if the number of pixels per frame is 4096horizontal and 2160 vertical, this number of pixels is that of videodata having a format with this number of pixels finally specified, sothat the number of pixels on the image sensor 102 may not match thevalues of these 4096 horizontal and 2160 vertical.

An imaging operation by the image sensor 102 is executed insynchronization with a drive signal supplied from an imager drivesection 103, in which an imaging signal is read on one horizontal linebasis in synchronization with this drive signal.

The imaging signal outputted from the image sensor 102 is supplied to araw data correction section 104. The raw data herein denotes video datain which an imaging signal outputted from the image sensor 102 in asequence corresponding to the pixel array of the image sensor 102retains this pixel sequence. Therefore, raw data is different fromtransmission formats of normal video data in pixel sequence and thenumber of pixel.

The raw data correction section 104 executes the processing on a signalof each pixel of an imaging signal supplied from the image sensor 102for correcting pixel scratch, vertical stripes, noise, and the like, ifany, unique to the image sensor 102, thereby providing raw data.Basically, the number of pixels of an imaging signal and those of theraw data are equal to each other, so that the raw data correctionsection 104 does not execute the processing of converting the number ofpixels and pixel positions. However, it is also practicable to provide aconfiguration in which invalid areas around an imaging signal of oneframe are removed to decrease the number of pixels.

The raw data corrected by the raw data correction section 104 issupplied to a raw data transmission processing section 105 to beprocessed for the transmission to the development unit 200. Here,synchronous data is added to the raw data of one frame and the dataattached with the synchronous data is outputted from an input/outputsection 108 to the optical cable 16. In this case, the raw datatransmission processing section 105 may convert the number of bits forexample for the raw data of one pixel. For example, if the data of onepixel supplied from the raw data correction section 104 is configured by12 bits, then the data of one pixel may be converted into 16 bits.Alternatively, the data of one pixel may be converted in nonlinear data.

The data (the synchronous data) entered in the input/output section 108from the optical cable 16 is supplied to the raw data transmissionprocessing section 105 and the synchronous data obtained by the raw datatransmission processing section 105 is supplied to a realtimesynchronization processing section 106. The received synchronous dataprovides the synchronous timing setting data for setting the imagingtiming with this camera apparatus 100.

The input/output section 108 has a terminal for connecting the opticalcable 16 and executes the processing of transmitting data over theoptical cable 16 connected to this terminal and the processing ofreceiving data supplied over the optical cable 16.

On the basis of the supplied synchronous data, the realtimesynchronization processing section 106 controls the drive timing in theimager drive section 103, thereby setting the image sensor 102 so as toexecute imaging processing with the timing indicated by the synchronousdata. It should be noted that the synchronous data supplied from thedevelopment unit 200 includes at least a vertical synchronous componentfor defining a frame period.

The raw data corrected by the raw data correction section 104 is passedthrough a lowpass filter 111 to remove the high-frequency component andthe resultant raw data is supplied to a thin-out processing section 112to thin out pixels, thereby providing video data having a comparativelylow resolution. The video data obtained in the thin-out processingsection 112 is supplied to an electronic viewfinder (EVF) 113 to bedisplayed.

The following describes an exemplary configuration of the developmentunit 200 that is a video processing apparatus for processing the rawdata supplied from the camera apparatus 100.

The development unit 200 has a development control unit 208 thatcontrols each component units of the development unit 200. It should benoted that the development control unit 208 is configured to communicatewith a camera control section 107 to execute processing insynchronization therewith.

The development unit 200 has an input/output section 209 to which theoptical cable 16 is connected. A raw data transmission processingsection 201 connected to the input/output section 209 executes theprocessing of receiving the raw data supplied from the camera apparatus100. The raw data received and processed by the raw data transmissionprocessing section 201 is supplied to a RGB conversion section 202 to beconverted into video data having a pixel array of a format specified bystandard as video data. To be more specific, the raw data is video datathat depends on the pixel array of the image sensor 102 of the cameraapparatus 100 and this video data is converted into video data having asequence with the pixel array of three primary colors R, G, and Gspecified. This conversion processing is executed by the interpolationwith the data of pixels at adjacent positions. If pixels lacking in thethree primary color pixels are supplemented, there occurs a differencein the number of pixels before and after the conversion.

It should be noted that the raw data obtained by the raw datatransmission processing section 201 is outputted from the developmentunit 200 without change to be supplied to a first recording apparatus 12to be recorded therein.

The video data obtained by the RGB conversion section 202 is supplied toa color distortion correction section 203. The color distortioncorrection section 203 executes the color correction on a pixel basis soas to bring the color reproduction characteristics unique to the imagesensor 102 in the camera apparatus 100 near to the actual colorreproduction.

The video data corrected by the color distortion correction section 203is supplied to a picture quality adjustment section 204. The colordistortion correction section 203 executes such picture qualityadjustment by user setting as white level, black level, and gammacorrection. The picture quality adjustment section 204 can change thepicture quality adjusted states by externally changing correspondingparameters.

The video data adjusted by the color distortion correction section 203is supplied to a frame synchronizer 204 to be once stored in a framememory of the frame synchronizer 205. The stored video data is read witha specified timing to adjust the output timing of the video data.

The video data outputted from the frame synchronizer 205 is supplied toa gamma correction processing section 206, in which the correctionprocessing based on the gamma characteristics of the display apparatusis executed on the video data. The corrected video data is thenoutputted. In this example, the outputted video data is supplied to ahigh-resolution monitor 14 to be displayed thereon. At the same time,the outputted video data is supplied to a second recording apparatus 13to be recorded therein. The high-resolution monitor 14 is a monitordisplay having a capacity of displaying a 4K×2K signal for example.

Also, the video data corrected by the gamma correction processingsection 206 is supplied to a down-conversion section 210 to be convertedinto video data of the HD standard. The video of the HD standard has thenumber of pixels per frame of horizontal 1920×vertical 1080, forexample. The conversion processing by the down-conversion section 210 isexecuted with a timing synchronized with the synchronous data suppliedfrom a realtime synchronization processing section 207. The video dataconverted by the down-conversion section 210 is outputted to theoutside. In this example, the outputted video data is supplied to a HDmonitor 15 to be displayed thereon. The HD monitor 15 is a monitordisplay having a capacity of displaying video data of the HD standard.

In addition, the development unit 200 has the realtime synchronizationprocessing section 207, in which synchronization on a frame basis isprovided when video processing is executed in each component section inthe development unit 200, thereby providing control so as to preventjitters from occurring.

To be more specific, synchronous data synchronized with synchronoustiming data supplied from an external frame synchronization generationapparatus 11 is generated by the realtime synchronization processingsection 207. The synchronous data generated by the realtimesynchronization processing section 207 is outputted to the optical cable16 via the raw data transmission processing section 201 and theinput/output section 209, the synchronous data being transmitted to thecamera apparatus 100.

In addition, the video data down-converted by the down-conversionsection 210 is outputted with a timing synchronized with the synchronousdata supplied from the frame synchronization generation apparatus 11.Also, the video data outputted from the gamma correction processingsection 206 to the outside is the video data of the timing synchronizedwith the same synchronous timing data.

(2) The Description of an Exemplary Pixel Array of an Image Sensor andRaw Data

The following describes the imaging processing to be executed in thesystem configuration shown in FIG. 1 with reference to FIG. 2A throughFIG. 4B.

FIG. 2A shows an exemplary pixel array of the image sensor 102 of thecamera apparatus 100. In this example, the pixels of the three primarycolors are arranged in a Bayer array. To be more specific, on a certainhorizontal line, red pixels R and green pixels G are alternatelyarranged on one pixel basis. On the following horizontal line, greenpixels G and blue pixels B are alternately arranged on one pixel basis.A pair of these two horizontal lines are repeated. However, green pixelG on a horizontal line with red pixel R arranged and green pixel G on ahorizontal line with blue pixel B arranged are shifted in verticalposition from each other.

The Bayer array such as this results in efficient imaging.

A pixel array of an image sensor shown in FIG. 2B an example in whichthe pixels of three primary colors are simply arranged for the purposeof reference, which is different from that of the image sensor 102 ofthe camera apparatus 100. To be more specific, red pixel R, green pixelG, and blue pixel B are alternately arranged on each horizontal line. Inthe case of the array shown in FIG. 2B, the three primary color pixelsare alternately obtained, so that the video data for output can beprovided with this pixel array without change.

In the present embodiment, the raw data generated in the cameraapparatus 100 is the video data having the pixel array shown in FIG. 2Awithout change.

To be more specific, FIG. 3 shows an exemplary configuration of rawdata. This raw data has a vertical blanking interval (a V blankinginterval), a horizontal blanking interval (a H blanking interval), and avideo data interval. In the video data interval, the data is arranged ona pixel basis with the pixel array shown in FIG. 2A retained. The dataof each pixel is indicated by 12 bits or 14 bits, for example, in thelevel of one pixel.

The data in each blanking interval may be configured in the same manneras the data of the blanking interval of normal video data.

It is also practicable to execute level compression processing throughthe raw data transmission processing section 105 of the camera apparatus100. To be more specific, as shown in FIG. 4A, originally, the data ofeach pixel of raw data is set such as there is a linear correlationbetween the input level and the output level for each pixel. Bycontrast, as shown in FIG. 4B, the bit length may be compressed suchthat there is a nonlinear correlation between the input level and theoutput level.

If it is practicable to transmit raw data to the development unit 200without executing this bit length compression, it is preferable to doso. This enhances the computation accuracy in the development unit 200,thereby displaying the video of higher resolutions and higher colorreproducibility on the monitors 14 and 15 and recording this video dataon the first recording apparatus 12 and the second recording apparatus13.

As described above, according to the system configuration of the presentembodiment, the camera apparatus 100 can output the video data obtainedby the image sensor 102 with the pixel array unchanged, therebyeliminating the necessity of the conversion processing such as pixelinterpolation in the camera apparatus 100. Therefore, the configurationof the camera apparatus for imaging the video of high resolutions can beconfigured relatively simply. At the same time this configurationreduces the size and weight of the camera apparatus, thereby ensuringthe mobility of the camera apparatus. In addition, this configurationcontributes to the saving of the power dissipation of the cameraapparatus used for the imaging of high-resolution video.

The video data outputted from the camera apparatus 100 is converted intothe video data having a format specified by the development unit 200,the video of high resolutions can be displayed realtime with the imagingon the high-resolution monitor 14 connected to the development unit 200.The recording of this video can also be executed realtime on therecording apparatus connected to the development unit 200.

Further, in the system configuration of the present embodiment, theprocessing of enhancing the picture quality of video data is executed bythe development unit 200, so that various types of picture qualityenhancement processing can be executed without changing theconfiguration of the camera apparatus. Therefore, the processing basedon comparatively sophisticated algorithms that is therefore difficult tobe incorporated in the camera apparatus can be realized with ease andthe modification of these algorithms can be executed comparativelyeasily.

It should be noted that, in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the tworecorders, the first recording apparatus 12 and the second recordingapparatus 13, are arranged; however, it is also practicable to arrangeonly one of these recording apparatuses. The first recording apparatus12 records raw data without change, so that recording can be made with arelatively small quantity of data. The second recording apparatus 13records raw data that have been converted, so that the recorded videodata can be outputted without change for display for example.

(3) The Description of Another Embodiment

The following describes another embodiment of the present invention withreference to FIG. 5.

With reference to FIG. 5, similar components previously described withreference to FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, video data to be displayed on anelectronic viewfinder 113 of a camera apparatus 100′ is supplied from adevelopment unit 200′.

To be more specific, as shown in FIG. 5, video data having the HDstandard obtained by a down-conversion section 210 in the developmentunit 200′ is supplied to a raw data transmission processing section201′. Then, this video data having the HD standard is transmitted to thecamera apparatus 100′ over an optical cable 16.

Next, a raw data transmission processing section 105′ of the cameraapparatus 100′ supplies the received video data having the HD standardto the electronic viewfinder 113 for display.

The other portions are configured in substantially the same manner asthe camera apparatus 100 and the development unit 200 shown in FIG. 1.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the video displayed on theelectronic viewfinder 113 of the camera apparatus 100′ is the video dataobtained by down-converted by the development unit 200′. Therefore,unlike the example shown in FIG. 1, the lowpass filter 111 and thethin-out processing section 112 required for obtaining the video data tobe displayed on the electronic viewfinder 113 need not be arranged,thereby simplifying the configuration of the camera apparatus 100.

(4) The Description of an Example in which the Embodiments are Appliedto a 3D Imaging System

The following describes an example of applying the imaging systemaccording to the present embodiment to a 3D imaging system withreference to FIG. 6.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, two camera apparatuses are arranged; aleft-channel camera apparatus 100L and a right-channel camera apparatus100R. Likewise, two development units are arranged; left-channeldevelopment unit 200L and a right-channel development unit 200R.

The camera apparatuses 100L and 100R are each configured in the samemanner as the camera apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 (or the cameraapparatus 100′ shown in FIG. 5). Likewise, the development units 200Land 200R are each configured in the same manner as the development unit200 shown in FIG. 1 (or the development unit 200′ shown in FIG. 5).

The left-channel camera apparatus 100L and the left-channel cameraapparatus 100L are interconnected by an optical cable, over whichleft-channel raw data is supplied from the left-channel camera apparatus100L to the left-channel development unit 200L. Likewise, theright-channel camera apparatus 100R and the right-channel developmentunit 200R are interconnected by an optical cable, over whichright-channel raw data is supplied from the right-channel cameraapparatus 100R to the right-channel development unit 200R.

On the left channel development unit 200L and the right-channeldevelopment unit 200R, synchronization processing is executed on thebasis of the synchronous data supplied from a frame synchronizationgeneration apparatus 21. The imaging by the left-channel cameraapparatus 100L and the imaging by the right-channel camera apparatus100R are also synchronized.

The video data obtained by the conversion in the left-channeldevelopment unit 200L and the video data obtained by the conversion inthe right-channel development unit 200R are supplied to a 3D recordingapparatus 22 to be recorded therein. Alternatively, the left-channel rawdata and the right-channel raw data may be supplied to the 3D recordingapparatus 22 to be recorded therein.

Further, the video data obtained by the conversion in the left-channeldevelopment unit 200L and the video data obtained by the conversion inthe right-channel development unit 200R are supplied to ahigh-resolution 3D monitor 23 to be displayed in a three-dimensionalmanner. Likewise, the video data of the HD standard obtained bydown-conversion in the left-channel 200L and the video data of the HDstandard obtained by down-conversion in the right-channel developmentunit 200R are supplied to an HD-standard 3D monitor 24 to be displayedthereon.

The above-mentioned system shown in FIG. 6 provides effects ofefficiently executing the imaging of high-resolution video forthree-dimensional display in synchronization.

It should be noted that the monitors 23 and 24 may be normal monitorsthat are not for three-dimensional display. In this case, one of thechannels is selectively displayed or the videos of the two channels aredisplayed side by side.

(5) The Description of Variations

It should be noted that the configurations described above in referenceto the drawings are illustrative only and therefore not limited thereto.

For example, the Bayer array shown in FIG. 2A as the pixel array of theimage sensor of the camera apparatus is only one example. Therefore, animage sensor having another array is also available.

The processing configuration in the development unit 200 may be short ofone or more component sections.

The frame synchronization generation apparatuses 11 and 21 are separatefrom the development unit 200. It is also practicable to unitize theframe synchronization generation apparatuses 11 and 21 with thedevelopment unit 200 to generate synchronous data inside therein.

The 3D imaging system shown in FIG. 6 was presented as an exemplarysystem configuration having two or more camera apparatuses. The presentinvention is also applicable to other multi-camera systems configured bytwo or more camera apparatuses.

The present application contains subject matter related to thatdisclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2010-080360 filedin the Japan Patent Office on Mar. 31, 2010, the entire content of whichis hereby incorporated by reference.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A video system comprising: a camera apparatusincluding an image sensor that includes pixels arranged in an array andthat is configured to output an image signal having a pixel sequencecorresponding to the array of the pixels, and a first input/outputsection at the camera apparatus configured to output the image signaland communicate synchronous data used for synchronizing at least part ofthe camera apparatus; a video processing apparatus including a secondinput/output section at the video processing apparatus configured tocommunicate synchronous data with the camera apparatus; and a cable,coupled to the camera apparatus and to the video processing apparatus,configured to transmit the image signal and synchronous data used forsynchronizing at least part of the camera apparatus and the videoprocessing apparatus; wherein the video processing apparatus furtherincludes: a transmission processor configured to process the receivedimage signal into a first video data having a pixel array specified by afirst video format and at least substantially 4K horizontal resolution,and a second video data having a pixel array specified by a second videoformat and resolution less than the first video format, and output thefirst video data and the second video data for displaying the imagesignal on a first display having at least substantially 4K horizontalresolution and on a second display having less resolution than the firstdisplay.
 12. The video system according to claim 11, wherein thetransmission processor includes a down converter configured to convertthe image signal into a second image signal having a horizontalresolution less than 4K.
 13. The video system according to claim 11,wherein the second video format is HD standard.
 14. The video systemaccording to claim 11, wherein the video processing apparatus furtherincludes a synchronization processing section configured to receivesynchronous data from other apparatus.
 15. The video system according toclaim 14, wherein the other apparatus is an external framesynchronization generation apparatus.
 16. The video system according toclaim 11, wherein the down converter is operable in synchronization withthe synchronous data.
 17. The video system according to claim 11,wherein the first video data and second video data are outputted insynchronization with each other, based on the synchronous data.
 18. Thevideo system according to claim 11, wherein the image sensor includespixels in a predetermined array, and the image signal that is output bythe image sensor has a pixel sequence corresponding to the array of thepixels.
 19. The video system according to claim 18, wherein the imagesignal has at least 3840 horizontal pixels per frame.
 20. The videosystem according to claim 18, wherein the first video data hassubstantially 8K horizontal resolution.
 21. The video system accordingto claim 18, wherein the transmission processor is configured to performpixel interpolation of the received image signal to obtain the firstvideo data.
 22. The video system according to claim 21, wherein receivedimage signal has a number of pixels and the first video data has anumber of pixels greater than the number of pixels of the received imagesignal.
 23. The video system according to claim 18, wherein the imagesignal output by the first input/output section exhibits a transmissionformat different from the first video format.
 24. The video systemaccording to claim 18, wherein the camera apparatus further includes asynchronization processing section configured to control timing ofimaging by the image sensor based on synchronous timing setting dataprovided in response to the synchronous data communicated from the videoprocessing apparatus.
 25. The video system according to claim 11,wherein the first input/output section is configured to receivesynchronous data from the second input/output section.
 26. The videosystem according to claim 11, wherein the first input/output section isconfigured to receive synchronous data from the second input/outputsection via the cable, and the image sensor is operable insynchronization with the synchronous data.
 27. The video systemaccording to claim 11, wherein the second input/output section isconfigured to receive synchronous data from the first input/outputsection via the cable, and the transmission processor is operable insynchronization with the synchronous data.
 28. A method for a videocamera system comprising a camera apparatus having an image sensorincluding pixels arranged in an array, a video processing apparatusremote from the camera apparatus and operable in synchronization with atleast a portion of the camera apparatus, and a cable coupled between thecamera apparatus and the video processing apparatus, the methodcomprising: producing, at the image sensor, an image signal having apixel sequence corresponding to the array of the pixels; outputting atthe camera apparatus the image signal and communicating synchronous dataused for synchronizing at least part of the camera apparatus with thevideo processing apparatus; sending over the cable the image signal;operating the video processing apparatus in synchronization with atleast part of the camera apparatus; processing the received image signalinto a first video data having a pixel array specified by a first videoformat and at least substantially 4K horizontal resolution, and a secondvideo data having a pixel array specified by a second video format andresolution less than the first video format; and outputting the firstvideo data and the second video data for displaying, respectively, on afirst display having at least substantially 4K horizontal resolution andon a second display having less resolution than the first display. 29.The method according to claim 28, further comprising performing pixelinterpolation of the received image signal at the video processingapparatus to obtain the first video data.
 30. The method according toclaim 28, wherein the image signal output at the camera apparatusexhibits a transmission format different from the first video format.31. A video processing apparatus comprising: an input/output sectionconfigured to communicate synchronous data with a camera apparatus via acable, the camera apparatus including an image sensor having pixelsarranged in an array and being synchronized based on the synchronousdata and input an image signal from the camera apparatus via the cable,and processor apparatus configured to process the input image signalinto a first video data having a pixel array specified by a first videoformat and at least substantially 4K horizontal resolution, and a secondvideo data having a pixel array specified by a second video format andresolution less than the first video format, and output the first videodata and the second video data for displaying, respectively, on a firstdisplay having at least substantially 4K horizontal resolution and on asecond display having less resolution than the first display.
 32. Thevideo processing apparatus of claim 31, wherein the processor apparatusincludes a down converter configured to convert the image signal into asecond image signal having a horizontal resolution less than 4K.
 33. Thevideo processing apparatus of claim 32, wherein the down converter isoperable in synchronization with the synchronous data.
 34. The videoprocessing apparatus of claim 31, wherein the second video format is HDstandard.
 35. The video processing apparatus of claim 31, wherein thefirst video data and second video data are outputted in synchronizationwith each other, based on the synchronous data.
 36. The video processingapparatus of claim 31, wherein the input/output section is configured totransmit the synchronous data to the camera apparatus.
 37. A method forprocessing an image signal received from camera apparatus via a cable,the method comprising: processing the received image signal insynchronization with at least part of the camera apparatus to producefirst video data having a pixel array specified by a first video formatand at least substantially 4K horizontal resolution, and second videodata having a pixel array specified by a second video format andresolution less than the first video format; and outputting the firstvideo data and the second video data for displaying, respectively, on afirst display having at least substantially 4K horizontal resolution andon a second display having less resolution than the first display. 38.The method according to claim 37, further comprising performing pixelinterpolation of the received image signal to obtain the first videodata.
 39. A video system comprising: a camera apparatus including animage sensor that includes pixels arranged in an array and that isconfigured to output an image signal having a pixel sequencecorresponding to the array of the pixels, and a first input/outputsection at the camera apparatus configured to output the image signaland input control data used for synchronizing at least part of thecamera apparatus; a video processing apparatus including a secondinput/output section at the video processing apparatus configured tooutput the control data to the camera apparatus; and a cable, coupled tothe camera apparatus and to the video processing apparatus, configuredto transmit the image signal and the control data used for synchronizingat least part of the camera apparatus and the video processingapparatus; wherein the video processing apparatus further includes: atransmission processor configured to process the received image signalinto a first video data having a pixel array specified by a first videoformat and at least substantially 4K horizontal resolution, and a secondvideo data having a pixel array specified by a second video format andresolution less than the first video format, and output the first videodata and the second video data for displaying the image signal on afirst display having at least substantially 4K horizontal resolution andon a second display having less resolution than the first display.